Joint media release:
- Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson OAM MP
A Townsville defence company has signed a job-creating $319.8 million contract with the Morrison Government to continue its delivery of training support to the Australian Army's Combat Training Centre for up to 14 years.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the contract with Cubic Defence Australia was a major boost for the Queensland and national economy, with almost all of the contract price to be invested in Australian industry.
Cubic will continue to provide and support the integrated live simulation, range instrumentation and information systems used to run major national and international exercises in Townsville.
The system is known as the Combat Training Centre Live Instrumentation System (CTC-LIS).
Minister Price said the contract would create nine new jobs in Townsville and support the ongoing employment of 35 Australians, most of whom are Australian Defence Force veterans.
The contract also indirectly contributes to the employment of another 15 Cubic staff and the creation of three undergraduate engineer internships each year.
"This contract is an excellent example of the benefits of our Defence industry partnerships for both the ADF and Australian businesses," Minister Price said.
"Our defence industry partnerships will only continue to grow and strengthen through the Morrison Government's $270 billion investment in Defence capability over the next decade.
"Close to 100 per cent of the contract price will be invested in Australian industry, including in advanced technology services.
"This local economic investment includes the development of systems integration, test and data analysis expertise in the Defence industry in North Queensland.
"This capability has been pivotal in the preparation of our troops for operations and has continued to evolve to include enhanced virtual and synthetic effects to improve exercise realism and tactical decision making."
Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said the contract meant stability for everyone involved.
"Cubic does a fantastic job ensuring our soldiers have the equipment they need to do the training and simulation that is so important for them to be ready for deployment," he said.
"Not only will a Townsville company be continuing to support Townsville troops, they'll be creating even more jobs and internships into the future."
Cubic Defence Australia supplied the original equipment and has supported this capability since 2006.
They have worked continuously with Defence to develop and enhance this critical capability to meet the Australian Defence Force's evolving requirements.
